CHRIS Judd will return for Carlton as the Blues try to climb out of their 2014 grave, but coach Mick Malthouse has warned that the superstar is not their saviour.

Judd has not played this year after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon in February but will bypass the VFL as Carlton desperately tries to ignite its winless season against the Western Bulldogs.

And Malthouse praised his side’s training standards and confidence levels despite enduring the Blues’ worst start to a season since 1989.

“We’ve trained very, very well all year. There’s hardly been a session where I’ve thought we’re off,” Malthouse said at Visy Park.

“If it was based on training we’d be in the top four. It’s hard to judge because I don’t know totally what other clubs do, but our training has been very, very good.”

Judd trained away from the main group at Visy Park and was on light duties, but the Blues said that was the dual Brownlow Medallist’s normal routine in the final session before a match.

On Judd’s return, Malthouse said: “If it’s an individual that has to be out there (to lift the team) it’s sad.